Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Modification of Handling Requirements; Withdrawal, 19869-19870 [2021-07730]
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19869
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 86, No. 71
Thursday, April 15, 2021
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT
FOUNDATION
Public Quarterly Meeting of the Board
of Directors
United States African
Development Foundation.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
The US African Development
Foundation (USADF) will hold its
quarterly meeting of the Board of
Directors to discuss the agency’s
programs and administration. This
meeting will occur at the USADF office.
DATES: The meeting date is Tuesday,
April 27, 2021, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held by
teleconference. Please contact the
Agency Contact listed below for
conference details.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nina-Belle Mbayu, (202) 233–8808,
nbmbayu@usadf.gov.
SUMMARY:
(Authority: Public Law 96–533 (22 U.S.C.
290h)).
Dated: April 12, 2021.
Nina-Belle Mbayu,
Acting General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2021–07734 Filed 4–14–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6117–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 966
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
[Doc. No. AMS–SC–20–0004; SC20–966–1]
Tomatoes Grown in Florida;
Modification of Handling
Requirements; Withdrawal
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule, withdrawal.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Agriculture withdraws a proposed rule
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:35 Apr 14, 2021
Jkt 253001
recommended by the Florida Tomato
Committee (Committee) to revise the
exemption, container, and definition
sections under the Marketing Order’s
handling requirements and to update
language to reflect current industry
practices. After reviewing and
considering the comments received, the
proposed rule is being withdrawn.
DATES: As of April 15, 2021, the
proposed rule published on June 9,
2020, at 85 FR 35222, is withdrawn.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steven W. Kauffman, Marketing
Specialist, or Christian D. Nissen,
Regional Director, Southeast Marketing
Field Office, Marketing Order and
Agreement Division, Specialty Crops
Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (863)
324–3375, Fax: (863) 291–8614, or
Email: Steven.Kauffman@usda.gov or
Christian.Nissen@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
withdrawal is issued under Marketing
Agreement No. 125 and Order No. 966,
as amended (7 CFR part 966), regulating
the handling of tomatoes grown in
Florida. Part 966 (referred to as the
‘‘Order’’) is effective under the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act
of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674),
hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Act.’’ The
Committee locally administers the
Order and is comprised of producers
operating within the production area.
This action withdraws a proposed
rule published in the Federal Register
on June 9, 2020, (85 FR 35222) to revise
the exemption, container, and definition
sections in the handling requirements of
the Order. Specifically, the proposal
would have removed the exemption for
pear shaped or Roma type tomatoes.
This would have required Roma type
tomatoes to meet the grade, pack and
container, inspection, and reporting
requirements, and Roma type tomatoes
would have been subject to assessment
under the Order.
The proposal also would have
changed the exemption language for
greenhouse and hydroponic tomatoes by
eliminating the exemptions for
greenhouse and hydroponic production
and would have established a new
exemption and definition for controlled
environment production. It would have
also adjusted the pack and container
requirements, and updated language to
reflect current industry practices.
During the proposed rule’s 30-day
comment period, eight comments were
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
received. All the comments may be
viewed on the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov. Of the comments
received, one comment favored aspects
of the rule, and another favored
implementing the handling
requirements for Roma tomatoes, but
opposed the new exemption definition
for ‘‘controlled environment.’’ Four
comments opposed removing the
exemption for Roma tomatoes, and three
of these comments also opposed the
exemption change and definition for
‘‘controlled environment’’, with one
further opposing the changes to the
container requirements. The other
comments received pertained to issues
that were not applicable to the proposed
rule.
The proposed rule would have
established changes to the handling
requirements of the tomato Order.
However, section 8e of the Act (7 U.S.C.
608e–1) provides that when certain
domestically produced commodities,
including tomatoes, are regulated under
a Federal marketing order, imports of
that commodity must meet the same or
comparable grade, size, quality, and
maturity requirements. Since the
proposed rule would have adjusted the
exemptions to require previously
exempt tomatoes to meet grade and/or
size requirements, a corresponding
change would have been needed to the
tomato import regulations. The
corresponding changes to the tomato
import regulations were to be addressed
in a separate rulemaking action. The
comments opposed to the proposed rule
focused primarily on the potential
impact of changes to the tomato import
regulations stemming from the changes
to the domestic requirements as
specified by section 8e.
The opposing comments indicated the
proposed changes would increase the
cost and time to bring imported
tomatoes to market. Other comments
expressed the proposed rule was an
attempt to set up technical barriers to
restrict free trade, limit fair competition
and would only benefit small economic
special interests. Another stated some of
the proposed changes were unnecessary,
as Roma tomatoes from Mexico already
must meet grade requirements under the
U.S.-Mexico Suspension Agreement.
Several comments objected to the
definition of ‘‘controlled environment’’,
stating it was trying to define
production techniques that were not
E:\FR\FM\15APN1.SGM
15APN1
19870
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 71 / Thursday, April 15, 2021 / Notices
used in the Florida production area.
Another commenter questioned the
development of the ‘‘controlled
environment’’ definition, since
greenhouse production methods
represent a very small portion of the
tomatoes handled in Florida. Comments
also argued the proposed new
exemption and definition were not
reflective of production techniques used
outside of the production area and the
change would negatively impact
greenhouse tomatoes. Further, one
commenter stated shade-house
production differs significantly from
open-field tomato production, and that
the structures in Mexico are permanent
and provide a significant degree of
control over growing conditions and
warrant different treatment from openfield production.
Several commenters also expressed
that certain proposed changes were
inconsistent with the Act and outside
the scope of the Order.
After reviewing and considering the
comments received, the Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS) has
determined there is little support for the
proposed changes and the rule to
modify the handling requirements for
tomatoes grown in Florida should not be
finalized. AMS intends to conduct
outreach with Florida tomato industry
stakeholders and consider whether
changes will be proposed in the future.
Accordingly, the proposed rule to
modify the handling requirements in the
Order that published in the Federal
Register on June 9, 2020, (85 FR 35222)
is hereby withdrawn.
We are reopening the
comment period for our notice
announcing the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service’s intention to
request a revision to and extension of
approval of an information collection
associated with the regulations to
prevent the introduction of gypsy moth
from Canada into noninfested areas of
the United States. We are taking this
action to allow interested persons the
opportunity to prepare and submit
comments.
SUMMARY:
Notice of Request for Revision to and
Extension of Approval of an
Information Collection; Importation of
Gypsy Moth Host Materials From
Canada
The comment period for the
notice published on January 21, 2021
(86 FR 6289–6290) is reopened. We will
consider all comments that we receive
on or before June 14, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by either of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS–
2020–0122 in the Search field. Select
the Documents tab, then select the
Comment button in the list of
documents.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:
Send your comment to Docket No.
APHIS–2020–0122, Regulatory Analysis
and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station
3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118,
Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.
Supporting documents and any
comments we receive on this docket
may be viewed at www.regulations.gov
or in our reading room, which is located
in Room 1620 of the USDA South
Building, 14th Street and Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal
reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
holidays. To be sure someone is there to
help you, please call (202) 799–7039
before coming.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information on the regulations for the
importation of gypsy moth host material
from Canada, contact Mr. Marc Phillips,
Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist,
PPQ, APHIS, USDA, 4700 River Road
Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301)
851–2114. For copies of more detailed
information on the information
collection, contact Mr. Joseph Moxey,
APHIS’ Paperwork Reduction Act
Coordinator, at (301) 851–2483.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
January 21, 2021, we published in the
Federal Register (86 FR 6289–6290,
Docket No. APHIS–2020–0122) a
notice 1 and request for comments on an
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
1 To view the notice, go to www.regulations.gov.
Enter APHIS–2020–0122 in the Search field.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 966
Marketing agreements, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Tomatoes.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–07730 Filed 4–14–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2020–0122]
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
Revision to and extension of
approval of an information collection;
reopening of comment period.
ACTION:
AGENCY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:35 Apr 14, 2021
Jkt 253001
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
information collection associated with
the regulations to prevent the
introduction of gypsy moth from Canada
into noninfested areas of the United
States.
Comments on the notice were
required to be received on or before
March 22, 2021. However, the docket
link in the ADDRESSES section for
submission of comments was incorrect.
We are therefore reopening the
comment period on Docket No. APHIS–
2020–0122 for an additional 60 days to
allow interested persons to prepare and
submit comments.
We will also consider all comments
received between March 23, 2021, (the
day after the close of the comment
period) and the date of this notice.
Done in Washington, DC, this 9th day of
April 2021.
Mark Davidson,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–07679 Filed 4–14–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
[Docket No. NRCS–2020–0008]
Proposed Revisions to the National
Handbook of Conservation Practices
for the Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of availability; reopening
and extension of comment period.
AGENCY:
NRCS is announcing the
reopening and 2-week extension of the
comment period to give the public an
opportunity to provide comments on
specified conservation practice
standards in National Handbook of
Conservation Practices (NHCP). The
comment period will end on April 22,
2021.
DATES: Comment Date: We will consider
comments that we receive by April 22,
2021. The comment period for the
notice published on March 9, 2021 (86
FR 13522–13524) is reopened.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit
comments on this notice. You may
submit comments through the:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and search
for docket ID NRCS–2020–0008. Follow
the instructions for submitting
comments.
• Mail, or Hand Delivery: Mr.
Clarence Prestwich, National
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\15APN1.SGM
15APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 71 (Thursday, April 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19869-19870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07730]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 966
[Doc. No. AMS-SC-20-0004; SC20-966-1]
Tomatoes Grown in Florida; Modification of Handling Requirements;
Withdrawal
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule, withdrawal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture withdraws a proposed rule
recommended by the Florida Tomato Committee (Committee) to revise the
exemption, container, and definition sections under the Marketing
Order's handling requirements and to update language to reflect current
industry practices. After reviewing and considering the comments
received, the proposed rule is being withdrawn.
DATES: As of April 15, 2021, the proposed rule published on June 9,
2020, at 85 FR 35222, is withdrawn.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven W. Kauffman, Marketing
Specialist, or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast
Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division,
Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA; Telephone: (863) 324-3375, Fax:
(863) 291-8614, or Email: [email protected] or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This withdrawal is issued under Marketing
Agreement No. 125 and Order No. 966, as amended (7 CFR part 966),
regulating the handling of tomatoes grown in Florida. Part 966
(referred to as the ``Order'') is effective under the Agricultural
Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-674),
hereinafter referred to as the ``Act.'' The Committee locally
administers the Order and is comprised of producers operating within
the production area.
This action withdraws a proposed rule published in the Federal
Register on June 9, 2020, (85 FR 35222) to revise the exemption,
container, and definition sections in the handling requirements of the
Order. Specifically, the proposal would have removed the exemption for
pear shaped or Roma type tomatoes. This would have required Roma type
tomatoes to meet the grade, pack and container, inspection, and
reporting requirements, and Roma type tomatoes would have been subject
to assessment under the Order.
The proposal also would have changed the exemption language for
greenhouse and hydroponic tomatoes by eliminating the exemptions for
greenhouse and hydroponic production and would have established a new
exemption and definition for controlled environment production. It
would have also adjusted the pack and container requirements, and
updated language to reflect current industry practices.
During the proposed rule's 30-day comment period, eight comments
were received. All the comments may be viewed on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov. Of the comments received, one comment favored
aspects of the rule, and another favored implementing the handling
requirements for Roma tomatoes, but opposed the new exemption
definition for ``controlled environment.'' Four comments opposed
removing the exemption for Roma tomatoes, and three of these comments
also opposed the exemption change and definition for ``controlled
environment'', with one further opposing the changes to the container
requirements. The other comments received pertained to issues that were
not applicable to the proposed rule.
The proposed rule would have established changes to the handling
requirements of the tomato Order. However, section 8e of the Act (7
U.S.C. 608e-1) provides that when certain domestically produced
commodities, including tomatoes, are regulated under a Federal
marketing order, imports of that commodity must meet the same or
comparable grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements. Since the
proposed rule would have adjusted the exemptions to require previously
exempt tomatoes to meet grade and/or size requirements, a corresponding
change would have been needed to the tomato import regulations. The
corresponding changes to the tomato import regulations were to be
addressed in a separate rulemaking action. The comments opposed to the
proposed rule focused primarily on the potential impact of changes to
the tomato import regulations stemming from the changes to the domestic
requirements as specified by section 8e.
The opposing comments indicated the proposed changes would increase
the cost and time to bring imported tomatoes to market. Other comments
expressed the proposed rule was an attempt to set up technical barriers
to restrict free trade, limit fair competition and would only benefit
small economic special interests. Another stated some of the proposed
changes were unnecessary, as Roma tomatoes from Mexico already must
meet grade requirements under the U.S.-Mexico Suspension Agreement.
Several comments objected to the definition of ``controlled
environment'', stating it was trying to define production techniques
that were not
[[Page 19870]]
used in the Florida production area. Another commenter questioned the
development of the ``controlled environment'' definition, since
greenhouse production methods represent a very small portion of the
tomatoes handled in Florida. Comments also argued the proposed new
exemption and definition were not reflective of production techniques
used outside of the production area and the change would negatively
impact greenhouse tomatoes. Further, one commenter stated shade-house
production differs significantly from open-field tomato production, and
that the structures in Mexico are permanent and provide a significant
degree of control over growing conditions and warrant different
treatment from open-field production.
Several commenters also expressed that certain proposed changes
were inconsistent with the Act and outside the scope of the Order.
After reviewing and considering the comments received, the
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has determined there is little
support for the proposed changes and the rule to modify the handling
requirements for tomatoes grown in Florida should not be finalized. AMS
intends to conduct outreach with Florida tomato industry stakeholders
and consider whether changes will be proposed in the future.
Accordingly, the proposed rule to modify the handling requirements in
the Order that published in the Federal Register on June 9, 2020, (85
FR 35222) is hereby withdrawn.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 966
Marketing agreements, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Tomatoes.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-07730 Filed 4-14-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
